BCE vs. PSO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 25, 2025

Here’s a clear look at BCE and PSO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

BCE is a standard domestic listing, while PSO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	BCE	PSO
Company Name	BCE Inc.	Pearson plc
Country	Canada	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Communication Services	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Diversified Telecommunication Services	Diversified Consumer Services
Market Capitalization	24.09 billion USD	9.53 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 15, 1982	November 18, 1996
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BCE and PSO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

BCE vs. PSO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BCE	PSO
5-Day Price Return	2.64%	1.78%
13-Week Price Return	17.70%	-10.78%
26-Week Price Return	6.65%	-19.25%
52-Week Price Return	-24.34%	4.28%
Month-to-Date Return	9.65%	1.12%
Year-to-Date Return	6.36%	-15.41%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.71M	1.30M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.62M	1.53M
3-Month Volatility	18.78%	23.06%
Beta	0.36	0.29

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BCE

3.43%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 35.96%
Q3: 14.90%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: -0.99%
Min: -18.19%

BCE’s Return on Equity of 3.43% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

PSO

11.56%

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 32.65%
Q3: 29.77%
Median: 16.63%
Q1: 11.08%
Min: 2.26%

PSO’s Return on Equity of 11.56% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BCE

2.47%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 28.40%
Q3: 13.05%
Median: 6.85%
Q1: -0.81%
Min: -18.76%

BCE’s Net Profit Margin of 2.47% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

PSO

12.53%

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 18.84%
Q3: 13.34%
Median: 12.22%
Q1: 7.92%
Min: 3.76%

PSO’s Net Profit Margin of 12.53% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BCE

13.20%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 37.46%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 15.73%
Q1: 9.79%
Min: 2.06%

BCE’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.20% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

PSO

15.97%

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 19.23%
Median: 15.23%
Q1: 8.71%
Min: -0.71%

PSO’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.97% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BCE	PSO
Return on Equity (TTM)	3.43%	11.56%
Return on Assets (TTM)	0.83%	6.72%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	2.47%	12.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.20%	15.97%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	67.94%	51.45%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BCE

0.61

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 1.63
Q3: 1.14
Median: 0.92
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.16

BCE’s Current Ratio of 0.61 falls into the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

PSO

2.31

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 3.40
Q3: 1.97
Median: 1.66
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.15

PSO’s Current Ratio of 2.31 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BCE

2.08

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 3.82
Q3: 2.06
Median: 1.32
Q1: 0.74
Min: 0.11

BCE’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.08. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

PSO

0.41

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 2.92
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.36
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

PSO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.41 is typical for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BCE

1.47

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 14.66
Q3: 8.25
Median: 3.53
Q1: 1.47
Min: -2.60

BCE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

PSO

13.44

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 13.44
Q3: 10.58
Median: 5.57
Q1: 3.04
Min: -2.17

PSO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.44 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BCE	PSO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.61	2.31
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.54	2.24
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.08	0.41
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.47	13.44

Growth

Revenue Growth

BCE vs. PSO: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BCE vs. PSO: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BCE

9.80%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 10.34%
Q3: 5.44%
Median: 3.89%
Q1: 1.73%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 9.80%, BCE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

PSO

2.29%

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 2.29%
Q3: 0.98%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.29%, PSO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Consumer Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BCE

125.42%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 270.06%
Q3: 135.21%
Median: 76.62%
Q1: 35.06%
Min: 0.00%

BCE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 125.42% is within the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

PSO

36.05%

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 35.94%
Q3: 25.79%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 36.05%, PSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BCE	PSO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	9.80%	2.29%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	125.42%	36.05%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BCE

54.27

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 33.39
Q3: 23.91
Median: 16.72
Q1: 13.00
Min: 4.13

At 54.27, BCE’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

PSO

15.73

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 33.95
Q3: 25.14
Median: 19.27
Q1: 15.30
Min: 5.58

PSO’s P/E Ratio of 15.73 is within the middle range for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BCE

1.34

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.60
Median: 1.62
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.35

BCE’s P/S Ratio of 1.34 aligns with the market consensus for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

PSO

1.97

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 3.29
Q3: 2.54
Median: 2.27
Q1: 1.92
Min: 1.28

PSO’s P/S Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the market consensus for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BCE

1.53

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 5.77
Q3: 3.45
Median: 2.10
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.32

BCE’s P/B Ratio of 1.53 is within the conventional range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PSO

1.95

Diversified Consumer Services Industry

Max: 7.00
Q3: 6.37
Median: 3.31
Q1: 2.13
Min: 0.98

PSO’s P/B Ratio of 1.95 is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

BCE vs. PSO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Diversified Consumer Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BCE	PSO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	54.27	15.73
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.34	1.97
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.53	1.95
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	8.04	11.26